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Put Down Those Oreos And Walk With Iorio

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By IRENE MAHER, News Channel 8 Medical Editor

Published: October 11, 2007

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio wants everyone in the city to move. No, not out of the city. But to get up and become physically active.

That's the idea behind her Walking With the Mayor events, held twice a year. The next one is Oct. 20.

"It's just a great way to show people that, hey, it doesn't take much to get out there and exercise," she says.

The walk is held at Al Lopez Park. Each lap around is a little more than a mile. The mayor plans to walk around four times — something that might not have been so easy for her a few months ago.

In May, the mayor participated in the Police Unity Tour in Washington, D.C., a 20-mile bike ride in honor of fallen police officers.

"It was an embarrassment. I couldn't do it," she says. She was able to ride across the finish line only after officials insisted she take a break in the chase car. It was an eye-opening experience.

"I just thought, 'Something's gotta change here,'" she says.

Most people who embark on an exercise program want to lose weight. Iorio had a different motive. At 5 foot 8, she has always been a trim size 8. Instead, she wanted to increase her strength and physical stamina.

She started by changing her work schedule to come in a little later three days a week. On those days, she's up at 6 and at the gym by 6:30 to work out with a trainer. She also got a treadmill and set it up in her small home office, even though it's a tight fit. When she doesn't go to the gym, she's on the treadmill, weekends included, and watches old movies to help pass the time.

"I make sure that I now exercise seven days a week. If I'm not at the gym those three days, then I make sure that I am on the treadmill for an hour the other four days."

The mayor didn't have to do much to change her diet. She learned early in her tenure the need to eat frequently — five times throughout the day — so she'd have the energy to keep up with her demanding schedule.

In addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner, she has a midmorning and midafternoon snack, such as a banana, a small handful of nuts or a cup of yogurt. She never eats when making personal appearances at mealtime functions, and she eats nothing after dinner. If she has a craving for something sweet, her biggest dietary weakness, she reaches for a small square of dark chocolate and has just one.

The mayor knows how difficult it can be for most of us to find time to exercise, but she figures, if she can do it, anybody can. You just have to find what works for you. Her advice is to keep it simple, such as walking at work or in your neighborhood.

"We're just entering into that time of year where it's great to be outdoors. For the next six months, I mean, this is the place to live," she says.

Throughout the cooler months, mid-October to about early May, there's hardly a weekend where some group isn't sponsoring a walk or a run. Iorio hopes you'll consider joining hers on the 20th. No fundraising is involved, and it doesn't attract thousands of participants, as some walks do.

Instead, it's an opportunity to get a little exercise and talk to a diverse group of people, including the mayor. She welcomes the opportunity to chat with citizens about their lives and concerns. During one walk, a woman shared the story of how she lost 100 pounds. Another walker talked with the mayor about oak trees in her neighborhood. No topics are off limits, and the more you walk, the more chances you'll have to get the mayor's ear.

About 350 walkers are expected, including groups of Girl Scouts trying to earn a special Walking With the Mayor merit badge. The badge has space at the bottom to add a tiny blue sneaker for each year of participation in the walk.

Walking With the Mayor is free. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m., and the walk starts at 7:30 a.m. This year, there will also be free health screenings and groups offering free health information. Everyone is invited, even if you want to roll rather than walk.

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